The Six Most Promising Alternative Power Technologies

Batteries may have improved substantially in terms of energy density, cost, and weight. But demand is high for alternative power sources that can fuel devices without them. MPMN has selected six alternative power sources that hold special promise for medical technology applications.

The first, developed by Perpetua Power Source Technologies (Corvallis, OR), converts waste heat into electricity. Designed to power wireless devices, the company's technology can be used to monitor industrial automation equipment as well as for medical technology and other applications.

Last year, the company debuted a square-inch chip that can generate up to three volts from body heat. Known as TEGwear Technology, the chip can power wearable medical and fitness devices.